jim axelrod has been following this. jim, good morning. >> reporter: once in a generation might actually be underselling it. this hasn't been done in 45 years. miguel cabrera is now taking his place alongside some of the greatest names in baseball history. >> getting ready to hit third in this inning. >> reporter: he could have sat but the 29-year-old miguel cabrera chose to play anyway last night and soaked in the fan's appreciation for his rare achievement. even in kansas city they were cheering. just 16 years old when the venezuelan was signed by a major league franchise cabrera earned his place in the history books with 14 home runs, 139 rbis, a batting average of .330 all tops in the american league. he joins a who's who of baseball great including triple crown winners ted williams, lou gehrig and mickey mantle. >> guys like alex rodriguez, manny ramirez, barry bonds, your take a look at any of the great baseball players in the last 45 years, hank aaron never did this. >> reporter: carl yastrzemski was the last play